Lamentations 2:17 Meaning and Explanation
“The LORD hath done that which he had devised; he hath fulfilled his word that he had commanded in the days of old: he hath thrown down, and hath not pitied: and he hath caused thine enemy to rejoice over thee, he hath set up the horn of thine adversaries.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →The LORD has carried out the judgment he long ago warned of, fulfilling his ancient word exactly as spoken.
What Does Lamentations 2:17 Mean?
Here is a sobering recognition: God 'hath done that which he had devised; he hath fulfilled his word that he had commanded in the days of old.' This was no random catastrophe. Long before, through Moses and the prophets, God had warned that persistent rebellion would bring exactly this. The fall of Jerusalem is the keeping of an old word, not the breaking of one.
This is strangely steadying even in grief. A God whose warnings come true is a God who can be trusted, for his promises of mercy are as sure as his warnings of judgment. He 'hath not pitied' in this hour and has lifted the enemy's horn for a season. But the same faithfulness that fulfilled the word of judgment stands ready to fulfill the word of restoration he also spoke 'in the days of old.'
Lamentations 2:17 in the Original Language
'imrah (אִמְרָה), 'word' -- a spoken pronouncement; God's ancient warning now exactly fulfilled.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lamentations 2:17
What does Lamentations 2:17 mean?
The LORD has carried out the judgment he long ago warned of, fulfilling his ancient word exactly as spoken.